Lifting device for tractor mowers



May 1o, 1927.

1,627,711 c. Pl-:AnsoN LIFTIIG DEVICE FOR TRACTOR HOVBRS Filed Nov. 15. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 May 10 1927. c. PEARSON mmm: nsvrc Fon mcronuowns v Filed Nov. 15. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 i zo ln'c .3. #l 67 Q\Z O l l 20. 5650/ FV l/ ZZ M Z 15 o o Z/ 35 2g i) 16 5f 2. 51X j 7 J7 5 Q il ZZ ff I 56 745/7 55 55" 7 H5 75 l0 11 76 7 l O O y Y Ll ]\0 1;217677/@021 *lf/5g MI/Zejfjearjog MW 10 1927 c. PEARsoN LIFTING DEVICE FOR TRACTOR )IOWERS Filed Nov. 1 5. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented. May 10,-1921. 1,627,711

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES PEARSON, F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO INTERNATIONAL HAR- VESTER COMPANY, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

:.Ir'rno navires son 'macros uownns.

appueationmea november ns, 192s. semi no. 674,804.

The present invention relates generally to bar raised to intermediate or plain lift pob mowing machines and, more particularly, sition; to an improved mechanism for adjusting the Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively, detailed cutter bars thereof. side and end views of art of the improved 5 In the operation of mowers having "a latlever mechanism for e ecting adjustment of erally extending cutter bar it is necessary the cutter bar; and 60 vto provide a number of adjustments there Fi 7 is a sectional view taken along the for; to wit: The bar must be tiltable or line -7 of Fi 5 and shows, on asomerockable to ride over small obstructions in what larger sea e, the releasable lever 'lockthe field and it must also be hinged or piving means.

oted to swing in a vertical plane either to The `tendency in modern 'farming opera- 65 intermediate or lain lift position, to avoid tions is to rely more and more upon tractors, obstructions too arge for the tilting mechaboth for draft pur oses and for power opnism, or to absolute or vertical lift position, eration of attached implements. The into avoid still larger obstructions or 'for vention is accordingl shown embodied in a transport purposes. mower attached to t e draft bar of a trac- Obviously, 1n view of these many adjusttor, the operative parts thereof being drivments, it is highly desirable that the mechaen by means of a suitable power take-olf. nism for accomplishing these results be sim- Referring now to the accompanying 20 ple and effective` so that only a minimum drawings, the improved mower construction expenditure of physical energy on the part is shown in conjunction with a tractor havof the operator of the machine is neceary. ing longitudinally extending frame mem- Thus, it is an object of this invention to bers 10 supporting a housingll which en'- provide in a mower, an improved manually cases the transmission and lineal or diferen- 25 operable means for adjusting the cutter bar. tial drive of the tractor. The differential Another ob'ect is to provide an improved shaft is shown at 12 and is operatively con- G lever mechanism for raising the cutterbar nected by means, not shown, for imparting to plain lift position. and releasably holdrotation to the stub-axles 13, which carry ing the same 1n such locked position. the traction wheels 14. It will be observed Still another object is to provide a Nsimthat the driving connection between the difple lifting mechanism, embodying a pull ferential shaft and the. stub-axles is housed ink, for raising the cutter bar to plain lift in casings 15, one of which is disposed adposition, said link also being adapted to use jacent each traction wheel. Attached in any ns a means for supporting the cutter bar in suitable manner to the rear end of the dilervertical 1folded or absolute lift position for ential casing is a seat 16 for the operator transport urposes. of the tractor, and from which position he 9o These o jects and others, which will be may control the mower ad'ustmg mechaapparentto those skilled in the art to which IlSm t0 be described herein. tel'- this invention appertains, are accomplished Each 0f the CaSingS '15 has bOlted thereto 4U by the mechanism disclosed in the wccombeneath tl1 Stub-axles 13 a plate 17, each 0f panying sheets of drawings, wherein like which Cal'lls a Pin 18 1 0D .which is 1'0- 95 characters of reference denote similar parts taibly Xod One Side mem er of l1 U-Shaped throughout the several views, and wherein: draft bar 19. The casings 15 also carry at Fig. `1 is a side elevation of a mower attheir` rear u per sides a notched plate 20,

' tached to the draft bar of a tractor, the the notches in adapted selectivey to enimproved adjusting mechanism being shown ga the angular y bent end of asu portin in position thereon; linie 21 bolted at its lower end to Vt e dra t Fig. 2 isa plan view of the same strucbar, as shown. It will thus be seen that this ture disclosed 1n Fig. 1; draft bar is capable of adjustment in a ver- 50 Fig. 3 is s rear e evational view showing tical plane.

the adjustingmechanism for the cutter bar, The attachment of the mower to the U- i the cutter bar being shown in operative or shaped draft bar will next be described. cutting position; Positioned by means of bolts and substan- Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the cutter tially midway between the legs of this draft bar is a base or supporting plate 22 having an integral forwardly extending portion, to

Awhich is bolted or fastened in any suitable manner a shield or casing 23, said casing extending in an upward direction. At the upper end of this casing is a f orwardl extending portion 24 in which is )ournale one end of a ropeller or tumbler shaft 25, which is rotate b means of a power take-0E suitably geare to the transmission of the tractor and housed within the casing 26. A universal joint 27 is provided so that the driving operation may continue even though the plane of operation between the tractor and attached implement varies. Housed within the shield 23 and loose on the shaft 25 is a sprocket wheel 28, which, b means of a sprocket chain 29 also carrie i in the casing, drives a second sprocket wheel 30 fixed to a rearwardly extending shaft 31, and which has fixed thereto at its rearmost end a fly wheel 32. A conventional' slip-` clutch 33 has been provided on the shaft 25 adjacent the loose sprocket wheel 28 and revents injury` to the driven parts. This s ipclutch comprises a friction disk, one on each side of the loose sprocket wheel, held in driving engagement with said wheel by means of a sprin 34. By reference to Fig. 1, 1t will be note that the casting or base plate 22 has fitted integrally therewith a downwardly and rearwardl extending portion, which serves as a shiel for the fly wheel 32.l

The base plate 22 is enlarged and apertured at one side to rotatively receive a rearwardly and laterally extending mower coupling frame member 35. which carries at its grassward end a-rockable coupling yoke 36 to which is hinged or pivoted, by means of pins 37, 38 the runner shoe 39, which in turn rigidly carries the mower cutter bar 4Q. 'Ihe mower cutter bar is provided with conventional guard fingers 4l and knives 42, which are reciprocable there-between by means of the attached Vknife-head 43 and pitman 44, the opposite end of which is operatively fitted on a wrist-pin 45 .eccentrically mounted on the Hy wheel 32, heretofore mentioned.

From the above description it should gbe appreciated that, by means of power transmitted from the tractor through the tumbler shaft 25 and sprocket wheel and chain connectlons, mentioned above, rotation is im- `parted to the fly wheel 32 which, in turn, has

its motion translated into reciprocatory motion by means of the pitman 44, to reciprocate the knives on the cutter bar.

The grassward side of the U-shaped draft bar carried by the tractor has mounted on its under side and suitably fastened thereto by means of bolts, a depending bracket 46.

he coupling yoke 36 on the mower frame carries at its front end an eye member 47, in which isrfitted the hooked end of a drag bar,

the frontend of drag bar also being in the lower end of the bracket 46. The drag bar assures the proper trailing position of the mower with respect to the tractor.

In the construction of mower shown there is disclosed an automatic means entirely independent dof the operator for tilting or rockin the cutter bar 40 so that the same will ri e over small obstructions without -injuringthe cutting ,Whlle this mechanism forms no part of the present invention, it bein disclosed and claimed in applicants eopen ng application, Serial No. 671,868 filed October 31, 1923, yet it will be briefly described."w 'i The couplin yoke 36 at the grassward end of the mower ame is rockable, as heretofore described, and has fixed at its stubbleward side a U-shaped bracket 49, the legs of which have rotatably journaled therein an integral pin and crank handle 50. Fixed by means of a 'pin 51 to the coupling frame member 35, ad] acent the cou ling gelte, is an upstanding supporting mem cr 5 which has an aperture in its upper end through which is loosely iitted the pin 50. Thus, if the runner shoe or any of the guard fin rs of the cutter bar should strike a small o truction in the eld during operation, the same will rock or tilt upwardly and rearwardly with the yoke 36, the loose connection between the yoke and member 52 permitting such rocking movement. After the obstruction has been assed the cutter bar returns to normal position by gravity.

The improved lever mechanism for adjusting the cutter bar to raised position will next be described.

Integral with the base late or member 22 -fastened to the tractor li'aft bar is a pair ot spaced opstanding arms 53 and 54, the upper ends of which are apertured for reception of a pin 55. This pin is rotatable in these upstanding lmembers and extends slightly throu themembers to the outer side thereof w ere each end receives an arm 56 and 57 of a bifurcated or archlike lever construction. These arms 56 and 57 are each angularly bent to the rear and at their upper terminal ends receive another arm 58, the

three arms being rigidly bolted together by means of a bolt 59. The arm 58 Ais also connected to the arm 56 by means of a strap 60. From the construction described it will be appreciated that a very rigid lever construction is provided and which is conveniently located with respect .to theoperators seat on the tractor for controlling the adjustment of the .cutter bar. The lower end of the arm 58 has fitted therein the hooked end of a link 61,.the opposite end of which is hooked into yan eye member 62cm'- ried at the rear end and integral with the coupling yoke 36l adjacent the cutter bar.

shown particularly in The bolt 59, which secures together the ot the lever, has at its end an eye 63 into which is hooked the stubbleward end of a laterally extendin formed therein a jacent its opposite end an eye or loo 65, which is adapted to be hooked over the iooked end of ahook 66 fixed between a air of strap members 67 pivoted at 68 to die runner shoe of the mower. Accordingly, when the operator on the seat of the tractordepresses the arm 58, the arms 56 and :57 are swung on their fulcrum 55 and pull `on the link 64 to raise the cutter bar and frame. member 35 of the mower to intermedia'te or plain lift sition.

It should be reinem red here that the frame member of the mower just mentioned is rockably fitted at its stubbleward end in the base plate 22. The position of the parts when raised to Vthe position just described is shown in full lines in Fig. 4.

An efficient, though easily releasable,'lock ing means has' been provided for the lever so ,that the cutter ba'r may be retained in its lifted position. This means comprises, as 1, 5, 6, and 7,` a concaved groove 69 in e upstanding arm 53 and a cooperating convened` bulge on the lever' arm 56. Thus, as the main lever arm 58 is swung and the lever arms 56 and 57 move therewith, the convexed portion on the arm 56 will ride into the concaved portion 69 in the upstandin l arm and lock the lever in this position. e' arms 56 and `57 are so mounted on the pin that suiiicicnt play is permitted to allow for a slight lateral motion caused by`this camming action, as clearl lshown in Fi 6. As shown, only one of t e arms of theever and one of the upstanding members of the base plate is rovided with this cam lookin means, as it 4as been found sufficient to equately lock the lever a' d supportthe cutter bar in raised position.

A spring counter balancing means has also been pr vided to exert a force on the lever to assis the operator in raising the cutter ba'r. This means comprises a: strong coil spring 70 xed at one end by means of a link 1 to the Ushaped draft bar carried by the tra'ctor and at its other end by means of a link'72 hooked into an eye member 7?,

which eye member is fastened to the lever arm 56. "This eye member is provided with a crank handle and is rotatable in extensions 74 and 75 on said lever arm, whereby the tension of said spring may be varied through the medium of an adjusting screw 76, by rotation of the crank handle 77. The spring assists the operator in raising the cutter bar and also counter balances the weight of the same in lowering it. y Y

For purposes of transport the operator must raise the cutter bar to the absolute vertical position. This is accomplished manulifting link 64, which hasy ally by the operator, who must get down out of his seat and pivot the cutter ba'r on the pins 37 and 38, heretofore mentioned, which automatically uncouples the loop 65 of link 64 from the hook member `66. The end of this link 64 beyond loop 65 is provided with a threaded portion and a winged nut 78. This winced nut may be unscrewed from the link and the link then engages in 4one of a number of apertures provided intermediate tlie ends of the cutter bar, the winged nut then being screwed over the protruding threaded portion of the link to positively retain the cutter bar in such raised position. It should be appreciated from this escription that the link 64 performs a double function in that it acts as the pull link to raise the cutter bar to plain lift position and as a stay rod, or support, `for the cutter bar in folded vertical position.` The link 61 does not transmit the pull of the lever 58 to the frame and cutter bar when the cutter har a'nd frame are moved to plain lift position, but merely serves as a supporting link when the same has reached that position. It performs the saine function when the cutter bar is in its folded vertical position.

It will thus be seen that there is'herein provided apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and that the saine is of simple construction, yet dependable in action, and is well adapted to meet the exacting conditionseof hard practi cal use. As various lpossible embodiments might he made of the above invention; and, as various changes might be made in the embodiment forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as ilustrative and not in a limiting sense.

W'hat I claim is: t

41. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member mounted on the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to the base member, a cutter bar carried by the couplin frame member, a lever fulcrumed on said base member, and means connecting the lever and cutter bar whereby the same may be adjusted to a raised position.

2. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member mounted on the draft bar, a coupling frame member rorkablv connected to the base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame member, a lever fulcrumed'on said base member, and a rigid link connecting the lever and cutter bar, whereby the same may bc adjusted to a raised position.

3. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft lll bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockabl connected to the base member, a. cutter ar carried by the coupling frame, a lever fulcrumed on the base member, means connecting the lever and cutter .bar whereby the same may be raised, and means connected to the draft bar and the lever for exerting a force to assist in raising the cutter bar.

4. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connecfed to the base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame, a lever fulcrumed on the base member, a link connecting the lever and cutter bar whereby the same may be raised. and resilient means connected to the draft bar and the lever for exerting a force to assist in raising the cutter bar.

5. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried on the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to the base member, a. cutter bar carried by the coupling frame, a lever fulcrumed on the base member, a link connecfing the lever and cutter bar whereby the same may be raised, a sprin connected to the draft bar and the lever lor exerting a force to assist in raisin the cutter bar, and means for adjusting tie tension of said spring.

6. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried on the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to the base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame, a'lever fulcrumed on the base member, a link connecting the lever and cutter'bar whereby the same may be raised, a sprin connected to the draft bar and the leverrfbr exerting a force to assist in raising the cutter bar, and means including a crank carried by the lever for adjusting the tension of said" Spring. k

7. 'l`hc combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried on the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to the base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame, a lever fulcrumed on said base mem r, means operable b i said lever for raisin the cutter bar, and means for releasably i ockin said lever to hold tbe cutter bar m traise position.

8. The combination with a tractor draft bar. of a mower ada ted for attachment for said draft bar inclu ing a base member carried on the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably carried by the base member, c

`at its fulcrum for` cutter bar carried b the coupling frame member, a lever fulbrumed on said base member, a link operable by the lever for raising the cutter bar, and cam means for releasably locking Said lever to bold the cutter bar in raised position.

The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for raid draft bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame. member rockably carried by the ase member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame member, a lever fulcrumed on said base member,

'means operable by the lever for raising the cutter bar, and cooperating concave and conbase member and lever reieasably locking the lever (o hold the cutter bar 1n raised position.

10. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockable in tbe base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame, a lever fnlcrumed on said base member, means o erableby said lever for raising the cutter liar, means for releasably locking said lever to hold the cutter bar in raised position, and `means connected to the draft bar and the lever for exerting a force to assist in raising the cutter bar. e Y

11. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for' said draft bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably carried by `the base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame member, a lever fulcrumedon said base member, a link operable bythe lever for raising the cutter bar, cam means for releasably ocking said lever to vhold the cutter bar in raised position, and adjustable resilient means connectedto the draft bar and the lever for exerting a force to assist in rais-y ing the cutter bar. Y

12. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of e.` mower attachment for said draft bar including -a. base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockablv connected to 'tbe base member, a cutter bar carried b the couplin frame member, a lever fu crumed on ,t e bas'e member, and a plurality of members connecting the lever member and cutter bar for movingv the cou.- pling frame `member and cutter bar to a raised ition. Y

13. he combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said Vdrei-t vox portions on the bar including a base member carried by thedraft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to thel base member, a cutter bar carried'by the coupling4 frame member, a lever fulcrumed on thefbase member, a

with the coupling frame 120 link connecting the lever and coupling frame member, and a second link connecting the the 4draft bar, a coupling frame member member, a plurality of members connectingy frame member and cutter rockably connected Vto the base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupli frame member, a lever fulcrumed on t e base the lever with the coupling frame member and cutter bar for movin the coupling ar to a raise position, and means for releasably locking Said lever to hold said members in raised sition. 15. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower adapted for attachment .for said draft bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to the base member, a cutter bar carried by the coupling frame member, a lever fulcrumed on the an lever to hold` the couplingv frame and bar base member, a link connecting the lever and coupling frame'memher, a second link connecting the lever and cutter bar, whereby said coupling frame member and cutter bar ma be moved as a unit to a raised position, cam means for releasably locking the members in raised ition.

16. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockabl connected to the base member, a cutter ar pivoted to the coupling frame member a lever supported on the base member, and means connecting the lever and cutter bar for raising the same to lain lift position, the same means bein a apted to xls'uport the cutter bar in abso ute vertical x position.

17. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including abase member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to the base member, a cutter bar pivoted to the coupling frame member, a lever supported on the base member, and a link connecting the lever and cutter bar for ra' the same to plain lift position, the same being adapted to support the cutter bar in absolute vertical lift position.

18. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried by the draft bar, a coupling frame member rockably connected to the base member, a cutter bar pivoted` to the coupling frame member, a lever sup orted on the base member, a link connecting the lever and cutter bar for raisin the same to plain lift position, the same lmk bein' adapted to support the cutter bar in abso utevertical lift position, and means carried at the end of saidA link for lockingl the cutter bar in the latter position.

19. mower comprising a frame, a cutter bar pivoted to the frame, a levercarried on the frame, and a link connecting the lever and frame, whereby the bar may be raised to plain liftposition, said link being detachable from 4the frame to engage the bar at a point intermediate its ends to sup-v port the same in absolute verticallift position.

20. A 4mower comprising a frame, a cutter bar pivoted to the frame, a lever carried on the frame, a link connecting the lever and frame whereby the bar may be raised to plain lift position, said link being detachable from the frame to engage 4the bar at a point intermediate its ends to support the same in absolute vertical lift position, and means carried at the end of the link for locking the bar in such position.

21. A mower comprising a frame, a cutter bar pivoted to the framea lever carried on the frame, a link connectin the Vlever andframe whereby the bar may raised to plain lift position, said link being detachable from the frame to engage the bar atfapoint intermediate its ends to su frame for supporting' the frame.

y 22. The combination with a tractor draft,

bar, of `a mower attachment for said draft bar includingabase member carried on the draft bar, a coupling frame member and cutter bar rockably su ported on -the base member, the base mem er including a air of spaced upstanding arms, a pin journa led therein, an arched lever carried on `the pin and straddling the arms, and means connecting the lever and cutter bar for raising the same.

23. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a base member carried on the draft bar, a cou ling frame member and cutter bar rockablly supported on the base member, the base member including a pair of spaced upstandin arms, a in journalled t erein, an arche lever carried on the gin and straddling the arms, an arm rigi ly fixed to the arched lever for o erating the same, and means connecting tlie arm and cutter bar for raising the same.

24. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a mower attachment for said draft bar including a basemember carried by the draft bar, a cou ling frame member and cutter bar rockably supported on the base member, a base member including a pair of spaced upstanding arms, a pin journalled therein, a bifurcated lever carried rt the 4saine in absolute vertical lift position, and

a second link connecting the lever and berlin na swirling the arms, one of said arms (banca-Ivelv and convex prlocking the lever, and

-tQ-thdrgrft-baand'driven from said power 'tkt-gdrive, a Ivel" mounted `on the adjusting said m'wer frame ndsutfer'bar.

26. Th embinaltio'n with a, tractor draft bm',v ofjxf wer-take off drive supported on thgdrgvtgr, wmower comprising a frame a Cuttefbai connected to said draft bar and dv'n, 4the power take off drive,

- BEARSQN;

on the pin and straddling the arms, one of said furcationsand one of said arms having cooperating concave and convex portions for releasably locking the lever, and means operable by the lever for raising the cutter bar and frame.

25. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a power take off drive supported 0n the draft bar` a mower comprising n frame and a cutter ber pivotally attached to the draft bar and driven from said power take ofi' drive, and a levell Inounted on the draft bar for adjusting said mower frame and cutter bar.

26. The combination with a tractor dra ft bar, of a uwer-take off drive Supported on the draft iar, a mower comprising a frame and a. cutter bar connected to said draft bar and driven from the power take ofi' drive, and a lever mechanism mounted on the draft bar including link connections to the mower frame and Acutter bar for adjusting said mower.

27. The combination with a tractor draft bar, of a power -take oli' drive supported on the draft bar. a mower comprising a frame und acutter bar pivotally attached to the draft bar and driven from said power take off drive, a lever on the draft bar connected to the mower frame and cutter bar for adjusting said mower, and a counter balancing spring connected to the lever and draft bar for assisting adjustment of the mower.

In testimony whereof I affix my signuture. i

CHARLES PEARSON.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,627,711.

Granted May 10, 1927, to

CHARLES PEARSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 62, claim 8.

and page 5, line 2l, claim 15, strike out the words "adapted for"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of June, A. D. 1927.

Seal.

M. J. Moore, Acting Commissioner of Patents.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,627,7l1. Granted May l0, 1927, to

CHARLES PEARSON.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 4, line 62, claim 8, and page 5, line 2l, claim I5, strike out the words "adapted for"; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 7th day of June, A. D. 1927.

M. J. Moore, Seal. Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

